Arriving a national hero at the Expo Center in Lahore, some six months, 22 countries and two accidents (resulting in three broken ribs, broken shoulder, fractured thumb and damaged wrists) later, Khan was described by Shahbaz Sharif as the “star of the nation who has made a mark for Pakistan [giving the] message that Pakistanis are a peace-loving nation”.

“Lahore was genuinely happy to have me back in one piece,” Khan told me two years later from Pakistan, as he prepares for his next big adventure; a group biking mission across Pakistan that will be recorded, documented and disseminated globally with the noble goal of promoting peace, positivity and building bridges between Pakistan and the rest of the world.

Khan and I had last spoken after he had finished with the North American leg of his 2011 adventure. At the time, he was stationed on the eastern board of the US waiting for his bike to be shipped across the Atlantic to Germany.

“We should have done another interview somewhere in the middle of Germany and Lahore because a lot happened in between,” he tells me. Two accidents, a destroyed bike and a pouring in of support (and bike parts) does sound like a lot.

Indeed, Khan has consistently pushed boundaries in order to break negative stereotypes surrounding Pakistanis. His first journey, which was chronicled by major media outlets globally, made him a PR manager of sorts for the country of Pakistan, simply because he was able to, single-handedly with no map and no GPS, show the world that “yes, we are Pakistanis – and yes, we are just like you”.

Having known Khan for the past few years and having followed his project A Different Agenda since its inception, I have come to appreciate that Khan does not ignore the very real problems that confront Pakistani society. While he has neither agenda nor plan to create a solution for Pakistan’s plethora of problems, what Khan does offer the nation is a special brand of hope.

This is why I wasn’t surprised to learn that shortly after he finished his first adventure, this restless soul took off immediately to the border of Pakistan-China and surrounding areas – this time on a flimsy, 12,000 rupee, 1962 Vespa scooter. Equally unsurprising was to see Khan, who bears the swagger of a younger, browner Marlon Brando, posing alongside musician-actress Meesha Shafi on billboards across the country.

Today, Khan remains committed to his passion for bikes and his desire to change Pakistan’s image on a global level.

And lucky for him, his project, A Different Agenda, has been seeing extraordinary success. His book on the first adventure is now complete and in the hands of editors. He is currently himself editing over a thousand hours of video footage of his San Francisco-to-Lahore trip. And there are talks of opening up a riding school for girls.

“I’m not ready for a 9-to-5 job yet,” he tells me.

Thinking back to our first interview when he had told me how he worked three jobs, lived on a diet of ketchup and rice, and left a solid position at a start-up in San Mateo, in order to raise funds, I realise that these side projects, and a sponsorship and fashion line with designer Élan, which will fund his upcoming trip, is surely a step up for Khan.

Earlier this month Khan had messaged me, after reading my article on Samina Baig, Pakistan’s first female mountaineer to conquer Mount Everest, if I could secure him a handshake with her and her brother Mirza Baig.

I had replied, “only if you’ll let me be the first journalist to write about your next adventure”. He agreed – giving Dawn exclusive access to his second big adventure.

However, a few short days after our interview (and a couple of nights before this story went to press), Pakistan was stunned and silenced by a tragedy of an unseen magnitude.

In what the New York Timeshas described as “one of the most brazen attacks on foreigners in Pakistan [in a decade]” gunmen disguised as police shot dead 10 tourists and their Pakistani guide. The party was attacked at Nanga Parbat and for many it indicates the proverbial final nail in the coffin of Pakistani tourism.

When news of the attack began circulating my fiancé called me and speculated, “Moin’s trip is going to be canceled for sure now”. But my gut instinct was telling me otherwise. The passion, determination and sense of urgency that I had sensed in Khan just a few days ago made me reluctant to believe that he would be deterred.

A few hours later Khan confirmed that the trip was still on – albeit with some changes.

Initially, Khan had been planning to hit the road with a team (instead of solo as he has always done previously). Four California natives were supposed to fly into Pakistan early Monday morning and the group was supposed to leave Tuesday morning.

But following the news of this tragedy, two cancelled, two still got on the plane to Pakistan – and despite the marked danger the group now faces, the trip is still on.

“Although there is a high risk now, we’ve decided to leave it up to Allah and carry on. We are devastated to the say least. But we will do what we are born to do. To strive and to achieve. Right now, this country needs love – unconditional love,” Khan rationalised for me.

“Switzerland, aka ‘biker’s heaven’, has been a haven for us [bikers] for too long. I want to show the world another country they can call ‘biker’s heaven’,” Khan had told me last week as he outlined his itinerary: departure from Lahore, head up and hit Kalaash ‘the hidden gem’, the Shandur Polo Festival, Hunza which is ‘Pakistan’s Paradise’, Khunjerab Pass the highest international border in the world, Deosai Plains which are the second highest plains n the world and plenty of places in between.

“Up north is where I came across the most hospitable people. The shopkeepers, waiters and the mechanics of Drosh, Lower Dir, Chitral, Chillas Shandur and Hunza wouldn’t let me pay. I would have my oil changed and receive a full meal… “aap toh hamaray mehmaan ho … this is KPK and Gilgit-Baltistan’s favorite line,” he reminisced.

No doubt, Khan’s undeterred spirit has a steadfast grip and the emotional force of a sonnet. I realise that he is clearly hell-bent on remaining equal parts brilliant, passionate and committed.

The goal of Khan’s campaign, A Different Agenda, has always been to bring positive attention to Pakistan. And this time around, by taking foreigners to the remote and beautiful northern Pakistan, Khan had hoped to also help bring tourism to Pakistan.

But the battle between evil and good and darkness and light continues to rage across the nation. All too frequently, in recent times, a step forward by individuals like Khan has resulted in falling two steps back. Maybe that's why now Khan and his team's journey is that much more important and necessary for Pakistan and Pakistanis.

“This year I have four people coming in. Insha’Allah next year I’ll have 40, then 400 and in a couple of years … biker’s heaven … Switzerland,” had said an optimistic Khan in last week’s interview.

Fair enough, I say. Because – as any addict knows – impulsivity is the cornerstone of addiction.

Comments (13) Closed

Nice :) this guy is doing what so many wish they could but cant take out the time and courage to do it (including me).... good read

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G.A.

Jun 27, 2013 02:51am

If militants can be so determined to destroy our home then why can't we be as determined to save it?

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Abdul Jabbar

Jun 27, 2013 04:45am

I am so delighted to see Moin's great story shared by Maria Kari in Dawn. I am very proud to share with you about my meeting with Moin when he reached Tehran, Iran on his way back to Pakistan during his historical trip. It was a very cold morning of 17th Dec 2011. It was the last month of my assignment with a multinational company in Tehran when a common friend (Mohammed Saeed) informed me to meet and greet Moin. When I met him, he had already suffered fractures in Eastern Europe. I have a couple of pictures with Moin. By then he had lost weight but his determination was sky high. After meeting him I went back to my office and very proudly told his story to my entire Iranian staff.

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BRR

Jun 27, 2013 10:46am

Luadable efforts in a loosing battle against insanity.

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Shaikh Muhammed Ali

Jun 27, 2013 12:12pm

Keep up the good work, Moin :)

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Chaman

Jun 27, 2013 04:25pm

Inspiring story. Moines, please keep spreading the message of peace and goodwill. It is good for the humanity at large.
Good luck in your endeavors. I hope the youth in Pakistan get inspired by the courage and determination of this young man.
It is the youth who build the future. Every one can not bike across th world but we can spread peace and goodwill in many simple ways, one noble deed at a time.

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Syed

Jun 27, 2013 05:52pm

@G.A.:
Well Said.

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Moazzam

Jun 27, 2013 06:38pm

I know this kid. I used to see him in Aitchison College and Gymkhana club...the two of the best spots we have in Pakistan...

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Tanya Khokhar

Jun 27, 2013 09:22pm

Inccredible!! Thanks for sharing Moin's courageous travels with us. Would love to read frequent updates on the next trip. Gdluck and safe travels Moin!!

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Syed W. Hussain

Jun 28, 2013 04:11am

The young people of Pakistan should also get involved in investigation of why brutal incidents occur such as the recent one on a Nanga Parbat party. Riding a bike is fine, dazzling the world with feats of fantasy is fine. But nothing will go forward as long as the educated have their heads buried in the sand. Time has come to take an active role and make some personal sacrifices rather than merely blaming USA, the ISI and the Taliban. Find out who did this and then find ways to eradicate such behavior. It will take years to repair the damage that was done by the horrible incidence at Nanga Parbat.

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Aziz Sarfaraz

Jun 28, 2013 02:32pm

Godd luck on you endeavour to bring peace to our troubled country .
Your trek from the USA was a a big WOW !
Long live the Ali Khan Family
Best of luck to you
AzizSarfaraz

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mehmet avar

Jun 28, 2013 02:48pm

Have met him in ?stanbul just after the accident in Bulgaria..Running a bikers club in ?stanbul and recommending safe routes for bikers from west to East...For tourism development,I have many brothers in Pakistan and sincerely expecting to see an organisation there named protest the global terrorism so as not to let western media name it different.....